Section 65596.
Cal. Government Code - GOV § 65596.
in effectThe updated model ordinance adopted pursuant to Sections 65595 and 65596.5 shall do all the following in order to reduce water use:
(a)
Include provisions for water conservation and the appropriate use and groupings of plants that are well-adapted to particular sites and to particular climatic, soil, or topographic conditions. The model ordinance shall not prohibit or require specific plant species, but it may include conditions for the use of plant species or encourage water conserving plants. However, the model ordinance shall not include conditions that have the effect of prohibiting or requiring specific plant species.
(b)
Include a landscape water budget component that
establishes the maximum amount of water to be applied through the irrigation system, based on climate, landscape size, irrigation efficiency, and plant needs.
(c)
Promote the benefits of consistent local ordinances in neighboring areas.
(d)
Encourage the capture and retention of stormwater onsite to improve water use efficiency or water quality.
(e)
Include provisions for the use of automatic irrigation systems and irrigation schedules based on climatic conditions, specific terrains and soil types, and other environmental conditions. The model ordinance shall include references to local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding standards for water-conserving irrigation equipment. The model ordinance may include climate information for irrigation scheduling based on the California Irrigation Management
Information System (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10015) of Part 1.5 of Division 6 of the Water Code).
(f)
Include provisions for onsite soil assessment and soil management plans that include grading and drainage to promote healthy plant growth and to prevent excessive erosion and runoff, and the use of mulches in shrub areas, garden beds, and landscaped areas where appropriate.
(g)
Promote the use of recycled water consistent with Article 4 (commencing with Section 13520) of Chapter 7 of Division 7 of the Water Code.
(h)
Seek to educate water users on the efficient use of water and the benefits of doing so.
(i)
Address regional differences, including fire prevention needs.
(j)
Exempt
landscaping that is part of a registered historical site.
(k)
Encourage the use of economic incentives to promote the efficient use of water.
(l)
Include provisions for landscape maintenance practices that foster long-term landscape water conservation. Landscape maintenance practices may include, but are not limited to, performing routine irrigation system repair and adjustments, conducting water audits, and prescribing the amount of water applied per landscaped acre.
(m)
Include provisions to minimize landscape irrigation overspray and runoff.
(n)
Include provisions requiring that each plant or a representative number of each type of plant, as determined by the director, installed in a new or rehabilitated landscape be identifiable at the time of
inspection as to its correct name as specified in Section 53481 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
References
referencesCal. Water Code - WAT § 10015.
referencesCal. Water Code - WAT § 13520.
referencesCal. Food and Agricultural Code - FAC § 53481.
referencesCal. Government Code - GOV § 65595.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026